Debates over embryonic stem cell research and human cloning have forced us to address the question: What does it mean to be human? If embryos are intrinsically valuable as human beings, then embryonic stem cell research and human cloning are problematic, for both involve the instrumental use of human embryos, and if postnatal children are employed, that would be clearly immoral.(more)

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A human being begins its existence at conception, which occurs when the male sperm and the female ovum combine; in other words, fertilization is a process that culminates in conception. The result is an entity called a zygote. It is a misnomer to refer to this entity as a “fertilized ovum,” because both ovum and sperm, which are genetically parts of their owners (mother and father, respectively), cease to exist at the moment of conception. For this reason, it may not even be correct to refer to the sperm and egg as “uniting,” for, as philosopher Robert Joyce points out, this “suggests that they remain and form a larger whole.” They are not like machine parts, which, when added together, form something larger though remaining identifiable parts; rather, as Joyce argues, “the nuclei of the sperm and ovum dynamically interact,” and “in so doing, they both cease to be. One might say they die together.”2(more)

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From a strictly scientific point of view, therefore, each human being begins its physical existence as a zygote, and it remains a human being throughout its life, from zygote to embryo to fetus to newborn to adolescent and throughout adulthood. None of these stages imparts to the human being its humanity.(more)

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It has been argued that an IVHB does not begin at conception. Some believe that the human being comes into existence very early in pregnancy, but not at conception (objection one). Others argue that a human being likely begins at conception, but it does not become intrinsically valuable until sometime later (objection two).(more)

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Some philosophers and bioethicists argue that not all human beings are equally intrinsically valuable (IV) because some of them do not have the present capacity to exhibit certain properties or functions that would make them IV. I will call the defender of this point of view the anti-equality advocate (AEA). Although these thinkers disagree among themselves as to which properties or functions make a person IV — some offer sentience (sense perception) while others suggest ability to reason, self-awareness, or some combination of these — they all argue that a human being is IV if and only if it is presently able to exhibit certain properties or functions.(more)

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COMMENTARY ON BIOETHICS

Debates over embryonic stem cell research and human cloning have forced us to address the question: What does it mean to be human? If embryos are intrinsically valuable as human beings, then embryonic stem cell research and human cloning are problematic, for both involve the instrumental use of human embryos, and if postnatal children are employed, that would be clearly immoral.

The facts concerning embryology and fetal development support the argument that an individual human being, with its own genetic code, comes into existence at conception and remains the same human being throughout its lifetime to adulthood. Some object that twinning proves that an individual human being does not begin at conception. Their objection is faulty, however, because early embryonic cells function as parts of a single organism even though they are unspecialized and have the potential to become another being if separated. Others object that the preborn, while human, are not intrinsically valuable because they lack certain presently exercisable capacities. This argument, however, cannot account for clearly valuable human beings, such as those who are asleep, unconscious, or comatose and who also presently lack certain capabilities; moreover, if intrinsic value is based on the degree of capabilities, then it cannot account for equality among human beings since some have more capabilities than others (e.g., the ability to reason).

View these Centre Right NZ Political Party Policies and voting position on STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Note: Policies subject to change. Please check the Policy Links for the latest Policy if available. These are the voting positions of party leaders for the 2014 General Election as reported to Family First who asked the questions below. Please refer to the linked website ‘Value Your Vote 2014‘ for more information and updates.

PARTY

VOTING POSITION/ POLICY

Policy link

Questions asked for the 2014 election

Embryonic stem cell research

Will you SUPPORT or OPPOSE any bill which attempts to legalise the destruction of embryos for
stem cell research?

Policy link

Policy link

Policy link

Policy link

Policy link

FAMILY FIRST POLICY REQUEST (Family First is not a political party)
⇒ Amend the law to protect the unborn children from conception (18,000 abortions per year represents the worst of child abuse)
⇒ Parental notification automatically of teenage pregnancy and abortion except in exceptional circumstances approved by the court
⇒ Promote married couple adoption· Promote adult stem cell research, not embryonic stem cell research

About this organisation

This organisation website is the result of several years planning and of course many, many hours of work by a small group of people. They intend to continue to develop the website still further, as the New Zealand public continue to provide them with feedback – suggestions, constructive criticism and the financial support necessary to progress to the next stage.

The website is unique. As far as they can tell, it is the first website in the world built as a true portal website relating to life issues, rather than what is called a “single dimension” website. This website aims to present all aspects of an issue, openly, honestly, without passing judgement and as best as possible without the usual bias caused by political, ideological, religious or financial interests.

It is unusual to find such a website on the Internet, even more so when a subject matter is so contentious!

Note: The below image is a recent screen grab and may not be up to date. Click on the image to see the latest info.

About this organisation

Family Life International NZ is a Catholic pro-life, pro-family organisation which has John Paul II Centres for Life in Auckland and Wellington and a dedicated team in Dunedin. We provide practical help to women and girls facing an unplanned pregnancy, free pregnancy tests and pregnancy counseling. Family Life International also offers post-abortion healing. We educate on all the life issues from conception through to natural death including topics such as contraception, abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, sex education, eugenics, prenatal testing, IVF, marriage and gender ideology.

Note: The below image is a recent screen grab and may not be up to date. Click on the image to see the latest info.